Explosive Energy

Part 4 Of The Siu Lim Tao Series

Have you been practicing?!

Part 4 of the series covers section 2 of the Siu Lim Tao Form. Section 2 deals with explosive energy. Each movement of the section should be relaxed until the very end of the movement. In the last inch or so of the move you should apply explosive energy. Unless you are relaxed throughout the section, you won’t be able to move quickly to each position with the least amount of effort, or apply explosive energy at the end. (So again, you are learning to relax).

Be aware of any ‘drag’ of tension which you bring to the next move. Relax fully each time after you have applied the explosive energy. Don’t lock your arm when applying energy. You should always have some movement left in the arm left after each explosive movement to remind yourself not to do this.

Only lock your arms fully at the very end of the section, just before the wrist stretch exercise (after the finger strike).

Remember, although this form seems fairly simple, you are also learning some major principles of Wing Chun in it. The second form is teaching you that you can apply explosive energy in any direction, and to move efficiently between positions by switching off this energy and relaxing. The more relaxed your movement is, the faster it can move, uninhibited by tension.

Only apply explosive energy at the end of a movement, and then immediately switch it off. It can also help to practice each section at varying speeds to fully understand them.